An inspirational five-year-old from Burbage who was born with half a heart is recovering after a life-saving heart transplant.

Albert Tansey was taken to hospital in Newcastle last week after a heart became available from a donor.

News of the operation was posted on Albert’s Facebook site and on video social media site YouTube alongside a caption reading: “I’ve got a bit of news I need to share, not sure how this happened, destiny? Incredible coincidence? A miracle? But I like to think it’s because of all you wonderful people out there.”

Albert’s dad, Adam, said that he was recovering well, but had “a long road ahead”.

He added that although the youngster has faced a series of problems – including possible rejection and kidney failure – he was now sitting up, getting out of bed and even colouring in.

He said: “Adam has been on the donor list since April and we have just been waiting for the call.

“The day we got it was just like any other day – it was completely out of the blue. But within 25 minutes of getting it, Albert was being bluelighted to Newcastle hospital and was operated on that same night.

“It’s opened up a new set of challenges for us, but we are very hopeful and we can’t even begin to thank enough whoever was kind enough to donate this gift of life.”

Messages of support have been pouring in for the youngster from his friends across the world.

One read: “Donor card received today, registered after seeing your bucket challenge. Your family must be very proud of you.”

Another read: “Day by day. Step by step. Little by little. From a distance we can all see improvements in Ironman. Long road ahead but with love, determination, willpower, energy and a smile, the corner is not that far away.”

Albert Tansey in hospital after his heart operation, September 2014

Just two weeks ago, The Hinckley Times told the story of Albert’s unique ice bucket challenge, which captured the hearts of the nation.

Albert’s condition meant that getting cold could kill him because his circulation was so bad that his organs were constantly under pressure.

In the video – which has been hundreds of thousands of times across the internet – Albert holds up cards to tell his story. He then asks viewers to join the donor register.

Adam said that they now had high hopes for the future.

He added: “We now have time to look forward and have great hope. Albert did very well after surgery and was breathing by himself within two days.

However, he was put on dialysis for a while due to kidney failure, and he also showed worrying signs of rejecting his new heart.

“It’s all been stressful and we have to keep an eye on it, but he’s just remarkable. To look at him, you’d think he was fine.”

For updates on Albert and his operation, visit his Facebook page at www.facebook.com/alberts heart

For more information or to sign up to the Organ Register, visit www.organdonation.nhs.uk. To find about Albert and his charity, Keep the Beat, visit www.keepthebeat.co.uk/site/index.php